I learned that I’m a diabetic the hard way (went into diabetic ketoacidosis and spent several days in the ICU). This happened while I was thousands of miles from home and was not a pleasant experience. Thankfully things are pretty well controlled now that I’m on insulin.

[–] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Did you experience any symptoms before the ketoacidosis that you dismissed or did not dawn on you as being a sign?

[–] rmtworks@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I sure did! I ended up losing a good 30 pounds, I was drinking double or triple the amount of water that I was a few months prior, and probably a few other things that I don’t remember. I sent a message to my primary doctor about my new symptoms and they told me to double up on my Metformin in the meantime. Since it turned out I was type 1, that wasn’t enough to save me until my next appointment.

[–] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

And you weren't a kid when this happened? I thought only kids got type 1.

[–] rmtworks@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No, adult onset for me. I think having it develop as a kid is more common, but it does happen to adults as well.

[–] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago

Most of my experience or knowledge of it comes from having a best friend, one of the two I have had, who had type 1. She had it since she was like five years old or something and she had every warning symptom for like a day, then poof she immediately needed hospital attention (with nobody else who might have it, so it adds a bit of perspective to see others who have it, since it can be confusing). I'm too glad to have gotten to know her and her needs to be letting that go to neglect anytime soon and have shown it multiple times (she inspired me to keep long-lasting emergency drinks in the fridge at all times). Especially in these times, I hope things aren't unwell.